Seven ecumenical councils

Orthodoxy receives the seven ecumenical councils as a normative reference for the faith.

95%

Confidence

Supportive

Contrary

Neutral

What it is: The Orthodox Church recognizes seven ancient ecumenical councils as a normative expression of the faith of the Church.

How the religion understands it: These councils define fundamental themes such as the Trinity, the identity of Christ, and the legitimacy of venerating icons. Their authority comes not only from formal decisions, but also from reception by the Church.

Context: Conciliar reception plays a decisive role in Orthodox theology and helps explain its strong connection with the Christianity of the first millennium.

Supportive

Council of Chalcedon (451)

council,chalcedon,christ,orthodoxy

Council on the two natures of Christ.

Reference: Council of Chalcedon, 451.
Content: The council formulated classic language about Christ as true God and true man.
Use in debate: It is normative for Byzantine Orthodoxy and for its classical christology.

Council of Ephesus (431)

council,ephesus,theotokos,mary,christ

Council connected with the title Theotokos.

Reference: Council of Ephesus, 431.
Content: The council confirmed the legitimacy of the title Theotokos in a christological context.
Use in debate: It is essential for the mariology and christology received by Orthodoxy.

First Council of Constantinople (381)

council,constantinople,creed,holy-spirit

Ecumenical council on the creed and the Holy Spirit.

Reference: First Council of Constantinople, 381.
Content: The council consolidated the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed and reinforced the formulation concerning the Holy Spirit.
Use in debate: It is central to Orthodox faith and to the liturgy of the creed.

First Council of Nicaea (325)

council,nicaea,orthodoxy,christ,trinity

First ecumenical council on faith in Christ.

Reference: First Council of Nicaea, 325.
Content: The council opposed Arian formulations and consolidated decisive language about the identity of the Son.
Use in debate: It is the first of the seven ecumenical councils received by Orthodoxy.

Second Council of Nicaea (787)

council,icons,nicaea,incarnation

Ecumenical council that defends the veneration of icons.

Reference: Second Council of Nicaea, 787.
Content: The council distinguished veneration from worship and legitimized honor to icons because of the incarnation.
Use in debate: It is the most important conciliar source for Orthodox iconography.